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Grønlandsudvalget 2016-17
GRU Alm.del Bilag 22
Offentligt

the Plan

norD

toward 2035

2015-2020

Action PlAn

GRU, Alm.del - 2016-17 - Bilag 22: Opsamling på Grønlandsudvalgets deltagelse i Arctic Circle Forum i Quebec

Cover photo: Icebergs.

Photo credit: iStockphoto.com

the Plan nord and its reference framework are available on the

Plan nord website (plannord.gouv.qc.ca)

Ce document est également disponible en français.

Secrétariat au Plan nord

legal deposit – Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec

iSBn 978-2-550-72705-7 (printed version)

iSBn 978-2-550-72706-4 (PDF)

100%

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III

a Message froM the PreMier

The

Plan Nord

toward 2035

is a key element

in a broad-based operation to spur Québec’s

economic recovery, undertaken by our government

to stimulate employment and ensure prosperity.

Québec needs to increase its overall wealth and

create new jobs in all regions, and the Plan nord

will help us meet this challenge.

We have made the relaunching of the Plan nord

a priority, in order to optimize economic benefits

for local and aboriginal communities in the north

and for all regions of Québec. our message is

clear. Québec has a northern environment that is exceptionally rich in energy

and natural resources, managed and developed within the framework of a

rigorous, organized and well-coordinated process. the process is, in turn, based

on partnership, the active involvement of the private sector, and support for

local and aboriginal communities.

We have ensured that the Plan nord brings together the essential conditions

for attracting investors from inside and outside Québec who are interested in

projects that enhance and develop the economic potential of the north. i have

personally witnessed the keen interest generated among foreign investors by

this opening up of northern Québec during international missions undertaken

to promote the relaunching of the Plan nord.

to create the conditions conducive to the development of resources in the

north, it is essential to focus on the living conditions of the local populations

and to address their specific needs. the Plan nord includes a broad range of

social measures that will help improve their wellbeing.

in terms of the environment, we want to develop the area in a sustainable and

responsible way. the relaunching of the Plan nord provides an opportunity to

establish and specify conservation measures to ensure that, by 2035, 50% of

the area covered by the Plan nord is dedicated to non-industrial purposes, as

well as the protection of the environment and the safeguarding of biodiversity.

in short, the relaunching of the Plan nord will create a favourable climate for

investment, which will be made on the basis of fundamental, guiding principles

for social development and environmental protection. this will make it possible

to increase Québec’s wealth and support the diversification of the local and

regional economy, for the benefit of the inhabitants of the area covered by the

Plan nord, the Québec population as a whole, and future generations. We have

chosen to make the Plan nord a development project that is harmonious, ethical

and respectful of the local and aboriginal communities that will be directly

affected by its implementation.

Philippe Couillard

Premier of Québec

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a Message froM the Minister

of energy anD natural resources,

Minister resPonsible for the

Plan norD anD côte-norD region

The

Plan Nord

toward 2035

has been drafted

on the basis of updated policy directions and

a new vision for the north, its issues and its

potential. the extensive resources of the north

will be developed first and foremost for the

benefit of local inhabitants, while contributing

to the progress of Québec as a whole. in particular,

the Plan nord takes into account the realities

and needs of local and aboriginal communities

in the fields of employment, education, health

and social services, justice, housing, culture

and security.

in addition to these economic and social components, the Plan nord retains

a fundamental and essential focus on the environment. it includes concrete

measures to ensure protection for the natural environment and wildlife, the

conservation of the distinctive biodiversity of northern Québec, and the

supply of clean, innovative forms of energy to northern communities. our goal

is to ensure that the Plan nord is implemented in a responsible way and in

strict compliance with the principles of sustainable development.

our action plan for the next five years is designed to reflect these aims. it will

harmonize and channel the priority actions of the government departments and

bodies involved in the development of northern Québec. the actions planned will,

among other things, facilitate access to the land, improve telecommunications

infrastructures and increase scientific knowledge about the northern

environment. Everything is in place to meet the objectives we have set.

the Société du Plan nord will coordinate the development process while

consulting with all the partners involved. it will help harmonize the activities of

the government departments and bodies working in northern Québec, for the

benefit of citizens in the north and throughout Québec. in addition to providing

coordination for all stakeholders in the north, it will play an important role

by accompanying local communities to ensure the coherent planning of

development prior to implementation.

to promote sustainable development in the north, the Société du Plan nord

will use the amounts available in the Fonds du Plan nord. Adding this amount

to existing funding for measures financed by government departments and

bodies and contributions from other partners, a total of over $2 billion will

be devoted to actions in the area covered by the Plan nord, creating the best

possible conditions for the harmonious development of the area.

With

The

Plan Nord

toward 2035

and its 2015-2020 action plan, the government

will take a decisive step in the process that began in 2011 to ensure the sustainable

development of northern Québec. We will continue to target the policy directions

and fundamental priorities for action set out in the initial plan, while proposing

new and innovative options adapted to the current context.

Pierre Arcand

Minister of Energy and natural Resources,

Minister responsible for the Plan nord and côte-nord region

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table of contents

A Message from the Premier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

III

A Message from the Minister of Energy

and natural Resources, Minister responsible

for the Plan nord and côte-nord region. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

context for the relaunching of the Plan nord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Main policy directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Development of the north’s economic potential . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Development and wellbeing of local

and aboriginal communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Protection of the environment

and biodiversity conservation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

conditions for success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A partnership-based framework for implementation . . . . . . . .

Financial framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Table 1

- Financial framework for the fonds du Plan nord –

2015-2016 to 2019-2020 ($ Million) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Map 1

- Area covered by the Plan nord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Map 2

- Area covered by the Plan nord – côte-nord region . . . . . .

Map 3

- Aboriginal communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Map 4

- Ressources and projects in the north . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Map 5

- Area covered by the 50% target –

Existing protected areas (March 2015) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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introDuction

in May 2011, the Québec government unveiled the Plan nord, an ambitious

sustainable development program for the development of resources

in northern Québec

. Based on a shared, unifying vision, this

once-in-a-generation project heralded one of the largest economic,

social and environmental development initiatives of our time.

in 2014, in order to continue this major sustainable development project

and take advantage of the opportunities it revealed, the government

decided to relaunch the Plan nord. it intends to make it one of the

primary focus areas of the revival of Québec’s economy, along with

the closely related Maritime Strategy.

these two primary focus areas are complementary and cover some

of the same geographic areas and key issues. the increased use of

maritime routes and harbour facilities will, in particular, improve the

flow of goods to northern Québec and make supplies for remote or

isolated populations more secure, while supporting economic growth

in outlying regions.

1 Québec. Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune. Plan nord.

Building Northern

Québec Together. The Project of a Generation.

Québec, 2011.

the relaunching of the Plan nord will require the participation of local

and aboriginal communities, in keeping with the principles of sustainable

development and in a manner respectful of their culture and identities.

its benefits will be optimized to ensure that they are profitable for all

regions of Québec.

the release of

The

Plan Nord

toward 2035, 2015-2020 Action Plan

a key step in the process designed to rally all Quebecers behind this

society-wide project.

the updated Plan nord will constitute an adaptable

framework for future years. other projects

The Plan Nord constitutes

suggested by communities or resulting from

an analysis of the issues by various government

an adaptable framework.

departments and agencies may also, over the

years, be added to this document, provided they

are consistent with the key policy directions of the Plan nord.

Waterfall at Lac à l’Eau Claire in

Parc national de Tursujuq.

Photo credit: David Rouault

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1. context for the relaunching

of the Plan norD

A solid foundation based on past achievements

the relaunching of the Plan nord takes the initial plan as its starting point. it already has at its core the work and discussions of the

partners who helped draft the first plan, released in 2011. it also draws on the discussions of northern development issues that have taken

place over the last three years.

With its updated Plan nord, the government intends to continue to work in the spirit of the Declaration of the Partners signed in May 2011.

in addition, the implementation of the updated Plan nord must, and will always, be consistent with previously signed agreements and

all the government’s obligations toward Aboriginals, including the constitutional obligation of consultation. the Québec government

considers it a duty to honour its commitments toward the First nations and the inuit, to accommodate them where necessary, and to

establish a partnership with them in a form that reflects their aspirations and the realities they face.

in short, the government is relaunching the project from where it has been left off. the updated Plan nord reiterates the essential elements

of the initial plan which remain of current interest, and updates them either by maintaining the relevant policy directions and priority

actions, or by proposing new ways forward to reflect the current context.

Otish Mountains.

Photo credit: tQ/J.-F. Bergeron

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Map 1 - Area covered by the Plan Nord

Area covered by the Plan nord

and key features

the renewed Plan nord will apply to the same geographical area as

the initial plan, namely all of Québec located north of the 49 th parallel

and north of the St. lawrence River and Gulf of St. lawrence, an area

of almost 1.2 million km

that represents 72% of Québec’s total land

mass (Maps 1 and 2).

Most of the area covered by the Plan nord is governed by the Baie-

James and northern Québec Agreement and the northeastern Québec

Agreement

it has a population of over 120,000 people, of whom one-third are Aboriginals

from four nations (inuit, cree, innu and naskapi), living in 31 communities

(Map 3). there are also 32 non-aboriginal communities in the Baie-James,

north of Saguenay–lac-Saint-Jean and côte-nord regions.

2 list of agreements signed by nation and by community. Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones : [online]

[www.autochtones.gouv.qc.ca/relations_autochtones/ententes/liste_ententes_conclues.htm].

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Map 2 - Area covered by the Plan Nord – Côte-Nord region

the area of the Plan nord is richly endowed with natural resources:

• it contains extensive mineral deposits and accounts for Québec’s entire production of many different minerals.

• it has over 200,000 km

of forests, or over half of all the productive forest land in Québec.

• it is the site of 75% of Québec’s installed hydroelectric capacity and has further untapped potential for hydroelectric, wind and solar energy

generation.

• With landscapes containing outstanding wildlife potential and a range of local cultures, it has the potential to become a world-class tourism

destination.

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Known challenges

the area covered by the Plan nord presents a range of challenges

created by its geographic, demographic, social and environmental

features. the major challenges are connected with:

• Abundant, diversified natural resources that are hard to access

and are located in a distinctive, often fragile environment that

deserves special attention.

• An immense, sparsely populated area with small, scattered

communities, half of which are aboriginal and have sometimes

fallen behind in terms of service provision and living conditions.

• A dynamic occupation of the area by people who play an active role

in the socio-economic development of their community.

• the gathering of knowledge and commissioning of research to

ensure more effective planning of environmentally respectful work.

Map 3 - Aboriginal communities

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2. Main Policy Directions

A vision for 2015-2035

By 2035, the Plan Nord will have enabled the development of this rich

resources area, for the benefit of its populations and of the whole of

Québec, through an exemplary form of sustainable development based on

a comprehensive, integrated, consistent and responsible approach.

Northern landscape.

Photo credit: David Rouault

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Basic principles

the government wants to ensure that resource development in the

north is conducted in a way that benefits the population living in the

area and contributes to progress in Québec as a whole. it is concerned

that development in the area should be supported by local and aboriginal

communities and be socially acceptable. it also wants the process to be

part of an exemplary sustainable development approach that preserves

the natural riches of the land and resources in the north, as well as its

potential uses, for generations to come.

For this reason, four basic principles have been established, on the

basis of shared values, to guide the government’s actions by ensuring:

• A planned, coordinated project based on partnership, private-sector

investment and support for communities, in particular through the

creation of the Société du Plan nord.

• A focus on sustainable development that integrates the economic,

social and environmental dimensions.

• Government actions adapted to the realities of local and aboriginal

communities and to northern areas in general.

• A harmonious and ethical approach to development that remains

respectful of aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities and

consistent with equality between men and women.

Updated policy directions

Based on the long-term vision and the fundamental principles it has

established, the government will implement three key strategic policy

directions to guide its approach and that of its partners:

• Develop the diversified economic potential of northern Québec in

a responsible way and for the benefit of the population living there

and Québec as a whole.

• Support the development of all communities in the area covered

by the Plan nord, by helping them realize their full potential and

enhancing their living conditions.

• Protect the environment and preserve the

distinctive biodiversity of northern Québec

by ensuring that mechanisms are put in

place to dedicate 50% of the area covered

by the Plan nord, by 2035, to non-industrial

purposes, protection of the environment and

the safeguarding of biodiversity.

The resources of the

North must be developed

in a way that benefits

the population of the North

and contributes to

the progress of Québec

as a whole.

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3. DeveloPMent of the north’s

econoMic Potential

objectives for 2035

to develop the north’s economic potential, the Plan nord will

target six objectives:

• Promote the responsible development of natural resources

in the north.

• count on the diversity of natural resources, especially in the

mineral sector.

• Promote private investment.

• increase the processing of resources from the north within

Québec.

• Promote the diversification of the local and regional economy,

in particular by supporting enterprises of all sizes and at all

stages of development.

• Maximize economic benefits in the area covered by the

Plan nord and throughout Québec.

Tugliq Énergie wind turbine at Raglan Mine in Nunavik.

Photo credit: Raglan

Priority actions for 2015-2020

Re-establish a context conducive

to mineral development based

on a wide range of resources

Mining has already created a large number of jobs in the area covered

by the Plan nord, but could create more in a more favourable worldwide

economic context. in addition to the 12,700 existing jobs in mining,

the 17 mining projects in advanced phase could:

• Generate more than $22 billion in investments.

• create over 10,000 jobs during the construction phase.

• Support nearly 9,730 jobs each year during the production phase.

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in 2013, more than 236 exploration projects were listed in the area

covered by the Plan nord. not all will be implemented, but it is clear

that the mining sector will contribute to Québec’s economic growth

in the coming years provided the context is conducive to expansion.

the conditions for developing mineral deposits must be stable and

foreseeable if they are to attract the required investments and ensure

the potential benefits. this is why the government has confirmed that

the mining tax system in effect since January 1, 2014 will remain in force.

Priority actions

for 2015-2020

IN THE MINING SECTOR

• Gather basic knowledge about the area covered by the

Plan nord to ensure the responsible development of

mineral resources for current and future generations.

• continue clean-up operations on mineral exploration sites

in nunavik pursuant to the agreement between Makivik

corporation, Fonds Restor Action and the ministère

de l’Énergie et des Ressources naturelles; sign similar

agreements with regional government in the Eeyou

istchee Baie-James territory and restore the abandoned

Mine Principale mine site. the government remains aware

of the need to clean up other sites not covered by these

agreements.

• Use the communication platform provided by Québec Mines

to inform, consult, and promote discussions between the

mining industry, the government, regional decision-makers

and the general public on questions connected with mineral

exploration and extraction.

• For diversification purposes, support projects to develop

minerals such as diamond, apatite, ilmenite, graphite and

rare earths.

• take a stake in companies mining mineral substances on

public land, or processing such substances in Québec, via

the capital fund for mining and fossil fuels (Fonds capital

Mines Hydrocarbures).

Mineral potential

the area covered by the Plan nord contains numerous mineral deposits.

it currently accounts for all the nickel, cobalt, platinum group elements,

zinc, iron ore and ilmenite produced in Québec. it is also the source

of a large part of Québec’s precious metal production, mainly in the

form of gold. the area covered by the Plan nord also has enormous

undeveloped potential for apatite, lithium, vanadium, diamond, graphite

(and graphene) and rare earth elements.

Conditions needed to develop mineral potential

the successful development of mineral potential in the north must

address the need to provide a stable, predictable operating framework,

a transparent and open process, worker training programs adapted

to the sector, accessible and high-quality geo-scientific information,

incentives for investment, and increased partnerships with aboriginal

communities. the government will ensure the compatibility of land uses

and the social acceptability of natural resource extraction projects.

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Diversify and promote products

from the forest environment

and implement integrated forest

management methods

the boreal forest is one of the main vegetation zones in the area

covered by the Plan nord. it is made up of relatively dense stands of

mainly softwood trees. Black spruce, the dominant species, is used

for saw wood and the manufacture of high-strength engineered and

structural timber products. it is also in demand for pulp, paper and

specialty cardboard production.

the annual allowable cut in the area covered by the Plan nord is

11.8 million cubic metres of timber, representing 39% of the allowable

cut in all of Québec’s public forests. A total of 36 mills holding supply

guarantees from public forests harvest timber in the area covered by

the Plan nord, and 9 are located in the area. these activities support

around 12,500 jobs.

Since the coming into force of the Sustainable Forest Development

Act

in April 2013, Québec has applied a modern, world-class forestry

regime. it is based on a management strategy that meets the highest

standards for sustainable forest management and fits perfectly into

a large-scale sustainable development project such as the Plan nord.

one of the effects of the new forest regime is to increase participation

by local and aboriginal communities in the forest management process.

it defines a management approach that respects the environment

and biological diversity while providing more enterprises with access

to timber resources. it also promotes secondary and tertiary timber

processing and the emergence of projects that rally the support of all

actors in the north.

Priority actions

for 2015-2020

IN THE FOREST SECTOR

• Promote the use of forest biomass in energy generation

for the mining industry, isolated communities and

cogeneration plants.

• Develop the potential for biorefining through the

extraction of components from wood substances.

• Establish a cooperative system for the management

of forest resources in the area covered by the “Peace

of the Brave” agreement

• Promote the development of a high-performance,

competitive wood products industry on the côte-nord.

Continue to develop the North’s

energy potential

Québec and hydroelectricity are closely linked: hydro power is

one of Québec’s key advantages in dealing with competition from

various organizations in the area of national and international economic

development. Québec possesses 3% of the world’s freshwater reserves,

most of which are located on the tableland north of the 49th parallel.

3 R.S.Q., c. A-18.1.

4 Agreement concerning a new Relationship Between le Gouvernement du Québec and the

crees of Québec (referred to as the “Peace of the Brave”).

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Québec’s large-scale hydroelectric projects have earned it a position

as a leader in the production of green, renewable energy while reducing

greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fossil fuels.

this clean energy is one of the foundations of the province’s economy.

With 97% of its electric power generated by water power, Québec

is one of the world’s largest producers of hydroelectricity. Electric

power is also a foundation for Québec’s industrial development,

offering stable supplies for the extraction and transformation of a

range of natural resources found in its territory.

Although the north is best known for its large dams, it also offers

considerable potential for wind and biomass generation, which are

both sources of clean, renewable energy.

Energy, a powerful lever for economic development

the extraction and processing of natural resources is a particularly energy-

intensive sector. Up to 30% of a mine’s operating costs are linked to energy

use when it is forced to use a generator to produce electricity. Energy

is necessary at all stages of the mining process, from drilling, blasting,

excavation, crushing, ore and waste transportation to dehydration,

concentration and granulation. the availability of competitively-priced

energy is therefore a prime factor in the attraction of investors and the

implementation of economically-viable projects.

Reducing costs by supplying renewable energy while reducing GHG

emissions in extreme conditions is a major challenge that Québec is

currently addressing.

Using clean energy for the benefit

of communities

the government intends to support the development of clean,

innovative energy sources to supply isolated communities in the area

covered by the Plan nord. it count on a broadening of energy supplies

to ensure the retention, development and economic diversification

of enterprises in the north.

the potential of liquified natural gas, wind energy and biomass generation

creates an advantage for the regions that have access to them, especially if

different energy sources can be combined. there is an opportunity

here to develop northern energy for the north.

the government will also ensure that stable supplies of fossil fuels are

available in municipalities on the Moyenne and Basse-côte-nord until

access to renewable energy is possible.

Access to natural gas

natural gas could offer a transitional, low-cost energy choice for energy-

intensive industries and a way to attract new investment, in particular

for mines in the area covered by the Plan nord.

Despite its clear advantages, natural gas is not currently available

in the côte-nord and nord-du-Québec regions, because demand is

not sufficient to justify the cost of extending the Gaz Métro supply

network from Saguenay.

liquefied natural gas offers an alternative way to meet current demand

since it can be transported by road or sea.

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Increase the socio-economic

benefits of wildlife activities while

ensuring the long-term viability

of the resource

the wildlife resources found in the area covered by the Plan nord are

a fundamental element in Québec’s biodiversity. they are especially

important in the culture, traditions and diet of the aboriginal nations,

whose rights are at the heart of the northern agreements signed with

the crees, inuit and naskapis in 1975 and 1978. Wildlife resources are

important for sports activities such as hunting, fishing and trapping, in

addition to wildlife observation. their importance is recognized outside

Québec since they attract an international clientele.

these activities generate significant economic benefits for local

and aboriginal communities, and for Québec as a whole. in 2012, for

example, hunting, fishing and trapping activities in the area covered

by the Plan nord helped maintain roughly 1,400 jobs.

However, northern wildlife resources are highly vulnerable to harvesting

and to habitat disturbance. As a result, development of the area and its

resources must be adequately supervised to ensure the integrity and

viability of the wildlife population. Habitat protection and all issues

connected with wildlife conservation must be considered carefully.

For example, the migrating caribou herds in northern Québec, which

have been in decline in recent years, are a matter of concern that must

be taken into account.

Priority actions

for 2015-2020

IN THE ENERGY SECTOR

• Draft the 2016-2025 Québec Energy Policy in cooperation

with the stakeholders concerned.

• Ensure a competitively-priced power supply for mine

development.

• Ensure a competitively-priced natural gas supply to improve

mine profitability, reduce GHG emissions and attract new

investment and supply liquefied natural gas to the north.

• Support the projects of off-grid communities and enterprises

to replace fossil fuels by renewable energy sources in

order to generate power.

• Secure the electric power supply by extending the power

transmission grid where possible and cost-effective.

• Ensure a stable supply of fossil fuels for municipalities

on the Moyenne and Basse-côte-nord.

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Priority actions

for 2015-2020

IN THE WILDLIFE SECTOR

• implement a five-year financial assistance program to

support knowledge acquisition, the development and

enhancement of wildlife resources, and the involvement

of local and aboriginal communities.

• identify wildlife potential and wildlife issues through

applied research projects.

• Support the development and implementation of training

programs in the field of wildlife protection tailored to the

needs of aboriginal communities.

the Strategy was drawn up in close collaboration with partners in

the regions concerned and covered a ten-year period. it is expected

to generate a total investment of $70 million in Québec’s northern

regions by governments and the private sector. these investments,

and the related structural efforts, should increase annual expenditure

by tourists in the north from $82 million to $140 million by 2021.

Until now, the financial assistance program for tourism development

north of the 49 th parallel has provided support for 48 projects with a

total estimated cost of over $70 million.

Priority actions

for 2015-2020

IN THE TOURISM SECTOR

• Support the development of structural tourism projects

north of the 49th parallel.

• Help tourism enterprise managers upgrade their skills

and those of their workers.

• Design marketing tools compatible with Québec’s brand

image.

• Gather strategic knowledge about nordic tourism.

• Promote the establishment of multi-purpose regional

tourist centres.

• Diversify the activities of outfitting operations in the north.

Promote tourism development

by highlighting the area’s

distinctive character

the

Québec

Tourism Strategy North of the 49th parallel,

released

in november 2011 as part of the Plan nord, aimed to make northern

Québec a world-class destination providing an authentic, exceptional

and safe tourism experience that aligned the coexistence of northern

peoples and respect for nature in a perspective of entrepreneurial

development and collective wealth

5 Québec. Ministère du tourisme.

Québec Tourism Strategy North of the 49th parallel — Cultures

and Wilderness to Discover.

Québec, 2011. [online][www.tourisme.gouv.qc.ca]

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Design and implement a sustainable

northern bio-food model based

on potential in the area

the economy and jobs in several coastal communities in the north have,

for many years, been based on the exploitation of a small number of

marine species such as cod and other bottomfish, the stocks of which

are in decline. these communities now face the challenge of finding

outlets for other less intensively exploited marine species, adopting

more eco-responsible fishing methods, and using their infrastructures

for bio-food production.

the north is already known for the production of certain sea products

such as northern shrimp and snow crab. Wild mushrooms and other non-

timber forest products are also harvested for many different commercial

uses, such as food additives, essential oils and ornamental products.

Small northern berries such as blueberries, northern cranberries and

cloudberries, some of which are rich in health-promoting substances,

are also typical of bio-food production in northern regions. Enterprises

are currently being developed in the north to process and market

these products in their region of origin and in national or international

niche markets.

the high cost of food in the north resulting from transportation costs,

along with certain deficiencies in quality, diversity, wholesomeness and

nutritional value, has repercussions on the health and life expectancy of

northern populations. this points the need to develop a locally-based

food production, processing and distribution industry.

Priority actions

for 2015-2020

IN THE BIO-FOOD SECTOR

• Provide support for isolated local and aboriginal communities

that invest in order to increase local food production,

reduce their level of dependency and lower food costs.

For example, support initiatives to grow crops under cover

(greenhouses, polytunnels, etc.).

• Support the development of the northern berry sector

and non-timber forest products sector.

• Provide local and aboriginal communities with the tools

they need to implement and supervise the application

of wholesome food initiatives at all levels (production,

processing, restaurant services and retail sales).

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Map 4 - Ressources and projects in the North

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Innu youth.

Photo credit: Marc tremblay

4. DeveloPMent anD wellbeing

of local anD aboriginal

coMMunities

objectives for 2035

to channel the dynamism of local and aboriginal populations and ensure that they benefit as much as possible from the development of

the north’s economic potential, the Plan nord targets the following objectives:

• Broaden the reflection on the occupation of the northern territory.

• Help local and aboriginal communities plan and structure their development.

• Promote labour force training and retention in the north.

• increase graduation rates and educational attainment in northern communities.

• Provide a more adequate response to the social needs of local populations.

• Ensure the cultural development of northern communities and highlight the cultural heritage of local communities and aboriginal nations.

• consolidate the services provided for families and seniors living in local and aboriginal communities by supporting innovative,

collaborative solutions.

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Priority actions for 2015-2020

Ensure that the development of

the North generates concrete benefits

for local and aboriginal communities

Development projects linked to the Plan nord offer several ways

for local and aboriginal communities to improve their quality of life,

consolidate their sense of belonging and pride, and keep young people

in the community.

At the same time, they present significant challenges, for example

ensuring that local residents have access to the jobs generated by

the projects and are able to exercise suitable control over structural

effects on the social fabric, culture, land use and public infrastructures.

the arrival of new enterprises and new residents, including families,

can also trigger industrial, commercial and residential development

and create extra needs for municipal infrastructures and services of

all kinds, in particular for children and seniors.

to meet these challenges, it is important to develop planning tools

adapted to the realities of the north. it is also necessary to ensure

that local and aboriginal communities have the resources they need

to revitalize their territory, manage development effectively and reap

the associated benefits.

Priority actions

for 2015-2020

IN THE

FIELD OF COMMUNITY

AND MUNICIPAL

INFRASTRUCTURE

DEVELOPMENT

• Document fly-in/fly-out (FiFo) issues for enterprises,

workers and communities, especially in the côte-nord region.

• continue to offer support for communities in their efforts

to adapt to change, and to accommodate and benefit from

development.

• continue the implementation of component 4 of the

Québec-municipalities infrastructure program (Programme

d’infrastructures Québec-Municipalités, or PiQM), which

enables municipalities to implement infrastructure projects

to meet priority development needs.

• Support social involvement by enterprises.

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Train more specialized workers

to meet the needs of development

projects in the area covered

by the Plan Nord

the implementation of the Plan nord constitutes an unprecedented

challenge for Québec because of the need to develop, attract, integrate

and retain workers. General, technical and vocational education is, from

this point of view, an essential component in the economic development

of northern Québec. the people inhabiting the area will be encouraged

to acquire and develop the skills needed to maximize their prospects

in the labour market.

the technical and vocational education currently available and

accessible to the local population is, however, limited and not necessarily

adapted to local labour force needs. For this reason, many young

people are forced to leave their home communities to study in

urban centres in the South. For some of them, especially if they are

Aboriginal, this situation considerably reduces their access to education

and training.

Efforts must be made to promote the training, integration and retention

of women and Aboriginals in certain high value-added jobs, as part of the

government’s commitments in the field of equal access to employment.

in addition, despite the effort made to provide education and vocational

training in the area covered by the Plan nord, the need for specialized

workers is so great that it cannot be met just by graduates from the

training centres in the area. this highlights the importance of setting

up attractive technical and vocational training programs adapted to

the needs of the north.

Priority actions

for 2015-2020

IN THE FIELD OF LABOUR

FORCE DEVELOPMENT

• Attract, recruit and retain workers using the

Online

Placement

website, job fairs, and access to an information

service associated with the Plan nord to inform and guide

job seekers.

• Promote regional hiring in the construction sector by

revising the placement regions for the construction sector

in the nord-du-Québec region.

• Produce and distribute information on the labour market.

• Support worker training by providing information on the

labour market to improve the match between industry

needs and worker skills, and by introducing employment

assistance measures.

• Strengthen the links with aboriginal communities by

maintaining a network of aboriginal liaison officers at

Emploi-Québec offices and reviewing their tasks as required.

• Promote equal access to the labour market for women in

the construction sector, in aboriginal communities and in

all spheres of northern development.

• Encourage full participation by women in the workforce,

by offering services for families and children in northern

communities that are adapted to their needs, particularly

high-quality, accessible daycare services.

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Promote student retention

and academic success,

and ensure that as many young

people and adults as possible

obtain basic qualifications

Student retention is a crucial element in the development of northern

Québec. the prospect of obtaining a good job should, in itself, be

a powerful incentive for students in the area covered by the Plan nord

to continue their education. However, the dropout rate for young

First nations and inuit people is on average three times higher than the

rate for Québec as a whole. the causes are numerous and interrelated,

and can be traced back to learning difficulties of various kinds,

and to schools, families and living environments. it is also recognized

that the teacher/student relationship is one of the factors that can

encourage young people to persevere and succeed.

in addition, for women, it is important to ensure full participation in

the labour market. A shortage of daycare spaces may, in some cases,

increase the dropout rate for women or result in their exclusion from

the labour market.

it is also extremely important to offer programs and services that

are adapted to the adult population in the area. the programs and

services must be designed to help students, once they become adults,

to upgrade their skills, expertise and qualifications and increase their

level of education.

A student’s ability to enrol in college and university programs depends

on the duration and quality of his or her elementary and secondary

education. it is important to consider the general educational level

within families and the value they place on education. An interest in

college and university studies is kindled well before the point at which

a student actually enrols.

Priority actions

for 2015-2020

IN THE

FIELD OF EDUCATION

General adult education, technical and vocational education

• Analyze the possibility of grouping together the vocational

education school boards to maximize the possibility of

training qualified workers for the mining sector or major

hydroelectric projects.

• increase the support services provided to aboriginal

students in general adult education and vocational education.

College and university programs

• launch a process, with other players in the area, to

identify current and foreseeable needs in the field of

higher education.

• Help establish regional mechanisms for coordination

and cooperation with all players in the area covered by

the Plan nord to ensure an effective response to the

needs expressed.

• Provide support for educational institutions in the

design and implementation of training programs and

infrastructures.

Recreation and sports services

• improve existing actions plans in the field of recreation

and sport.

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Support ongoing efforts to provide

improved health and social services,

justice and housing

large-scale projects in a northern environment can have both positive

and negative impacts on various factors influencing the health of the

population.

these impacts can be seen in the physical and mental health of

individuals, their lifestyles or their socio-economic characteristics. they

may also influence workers’ families, the dynamics and infrastructures

of the communities in the vicinity of the projects, the organization of

health and education services, and environment quality. in addition,

because of the historic and social heterogeneity of the north and

the characteristics of each project, the nature and intensity of the

impacts may vary from one project, or one community, to another. it

is essential to manage the impacts jointly, considering that the health

of the population in northern Québec is generally more at risk than

elsewhere in Québec.

there are also clear differences between northern communities, whether

local or Aboriginal, in terms of their social vulnerability and their ability

to act and respond. not all of these communities have strategies for

social development, poverty reduction or revitalization.

Some northern communities experience significant social problems,

associated in particular with alcohol or drug abuse and games of chance

and gambling. it is recognized by all involved in these communities that

addiction problems are interrelated. they may act as predisposing or

aggravating factors, or appear as the consequence of the high-risk

behaviour patterns and social problems observed in the communities.

Some have also seen an increase in crime in recent years.

these problems require constant intervention from the police and

justice system and from health and social service workers, even though

human and other resources are in limited supply in the north.

Priority actions

for 2015-2020

IN THE

FIELDS OF HEALTH, SOCIAL

SERVICES AND JUSTICE

Improve access to health and social services for clients in

the North

• By supporting work in the region to enhance the supply

of general social services.

• By implementing programs that serve young people and

their families.

• By consolidating addiction treatment services (alcohol,

drugs and games of chance and gambling).

• By facilitating the transfer of knowledge and expertise to

case workers in aboriginal communities, if so requested.

• By improving access to telehealth services

6 this measure depends on improvements to telecommunications infrastructures (chapter 6).

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The housing situation

Anticipate the impacts of development projects on

communities in northern Québec

• By creating a tool to monitor demographic changes and

population movements in the north.

• By providing for better integration of health issues into

environmental procedures.

• By strengthening the ability of professionals to analyze

impacts on health.

Take preventive action and intervene in response to priority

social problems

• By deploying services as part of a joint response by

various partners and government departments and bodies

in the fields of public security, justice, health, social services

and aboriginal affairs, and by aboriginal communities.

• By integrating measures to take into account the realities

faced by aboriginal women in the area of sexual assault

and sexual exploitation.

• By supporting local and aboriginal communities in the

area covered by the Plan nord in the fight against bullying.

Consolidate and improve services in the field of justice

• By promoting the use of telecommunications services

such as videoconferencing.

in nunavik, the serious lack of available housing has led to overcrowding

in hundreds of dwellings. overcrowding, in turn, accelerates the pace

at which buildings deteriorate and exacerbates certain problems,

including the propagation of infectious diseases. in addition, the cramped

conditions can generate social problems.

the private housing market, which can be a source of wealth for

individuals and communities, is practically inexistent. the difficulty of

purchasing and constructing buildings, their high cost, limited access

to credit, the lack of a resale market and a considerable gap between

the cost of social housing and the cost of privately-owned property are

the main obstacles to the development of a private housing market.

the Société d’habitation du Québec aims to work with its housing

partners in nunavik to establish a financial tool for the repurchase of

private property, the Fonds de rachat. the Fonds will compensate for

the lack of a resale market for private houses, reassuring purchasers

and financial institutions and facilitating access to credit for residents

in the region. it will operate temporarily until the market is able to

regulate itself.

the situation is different, but no less a concern, in the rest of the

area covered by the Plan nord. the number of new mining projects

has led to a genuine housing crisis in some municipalities. northern

development and the arrival of new workers may lead to a rapid increase

in the demand for housing in these localities.

in addition, there are currently few resources to help people with special

needs such as seniors with reduced mobility, low-income workers, the

disabled and female victims of violence, to find a dwelling that meets

their needs.

High construction costs are also a major problem with a direct impact

on the ability of regional authorities, for example in nunavik, to increase

the number of available dwellings.

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Priority actions

for 2015-2020

IN THE

FIELD OF ACCESS TO

HOUSING

• Revise the parameters of the Home ownership and

Renovation Program for the Kativik Region to ensure that

it provides an adequate response to residents’ needs.

• take part in catch-up work to deal with the shortage of

housing by building 90 additional dwellings in nunavik:

- 70 new public housing units, including 10 multi-

generational units.

- 20 new private units via the Home ownership and

Renovation Program for the Kativik Region.

• Maintain the measures for land occupancy aiming at

supporting the construction of affordable housing to

meet specific needs in regions located north of the 49 th

parallel, under the Accèslogis Québec Program.

• Establish financial tools to ensure that sufficient

hypothecary credit is available for residents in the Kativik

region and that building values remain stable, in particular

via a repurchasing fund.

• Stimulate the construction of private dwellings in regions

other than nunavik via the Affordable Housing Québec

Program (private component), which aims to promote the

construction of affordable rental units for low-income

households in municipalities with a low vacancy rate for

rented housing.

• Establish a northern housing laboratory to stimulate

research on northern housing issues and participate in

specific projects.

Give priority to cultural development

agreements as a lever for action

by northern communities

With the deployment of the Plan nord, northern populations will

experience a substantial degree of economic development in the coming

years. Aboriginal nations and local communities hope that their culture

and identity will also gain from this development.

For this purpose, it will be necessary to establish tools that will allow

local and aboriginal cultures to plan for their ongoing survival and

increase support for the development of cultures and their adoption

by young people. the role played by young people will be central in

rejuvenating cultures, avoiding a process of folklorization, allowing

them to move into the modern age and helping them flourish, at both

the Québec and international levels.

By ensuring that their culture remains vibrant, the communities

affected by the Plan nord will be able to build a strong relationship with

the rest of Québec that takes their

identity into account. Aboriginal

Through their dynamic,

communities must also be given

access to the tools they need

vibrant cultures, local

to preserve the vitality of their

and aboriginal communities

language, which lies at the heart of

express and communicate

their cultural identity. the survival

their northernness.

of the language and its transmission

as the mother tongue of future

generations are vital concerns for

aboriginal communities.

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Ensure security in the area

covered by the Plan Nord

the development of northern Québec will have impacts that will lead,

in particular, to increased risks in the area of public security and civil

protection. this will require the application of programs, measures

and specific intervention methods by the government departments

and bodies concerned. there will be a need, in particular, for police

services adapted to the realities of the north.

Similarly, the area covered by the Plan nord is not immune to natural

or man-made events that pose a threat to people’s lives or safety or,

more generally, have a major impact on the normal course of activities

in the community where they occur. the development of northern

Québec will involve the construction of infrastructures and an increased

human presence in northern regions. this may in itself become a factor

that increases certain risks by making it more likely that an event will

occur or by aggravating its consequences. this situation is a matter for

concern, especially since communities and essential infrastructures in

the north are exposed to risks that may be amplified by climate change.

Given that many areas have few or no roads or other infrastructures,

and given the distances involved, it becomes more difficult to intervene

in the event of an emergency such as a forest fire or another natural

or man-made disaster. this is why the public security services made

available to northern communities must be adjusted to meet the

new needs generated by the implementation of the Plan nord. A civil

protection approach must be defined, with a focus on prevention and

preparedness in order to minimize the impact of natural or man-made

disasters. Special attention must be paid to providing suitable training for

first-line responders (communities and risk generators) for such events.

the civil protection plans of all the stakeholders must be harmonized.

Priority actions

for 2015-2020

IN THE

FIELD OF CULTURAL

DEVELOPMENT

• Sign or enhance cultural development agreements with

aboriginal nations and northern partners.

• Help establish cultural centres to preserve, develop

and disseminate culture, the arts and heritage within

multi-purpose facilities.

• Promote artists from the north in the application of the

policy integrating the arts with architecture and with the

environment of government and publics buildings and sites.

• continue to adapt programs and services to give northern

partners access to culture.

• Help aboriginal populations recognize, protect and enhance

their languages.

• Elaborate and adopt an action plan to highlight the value

of the northern cultural heritage.

• Promote cultural exchanges at the international level

to contribute to the dissemination of aboriginal values.

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Priority actions

for 2015-2020

IN THE FIELD OF PUBLIC

SECURITY

• Adopt an integrated management approach for risks

connected with forest fires.

• Establish programs and tools adapted to the new

needs generated by the Plan nord in order to reduce

risks and ensure a rapid and effective response in the

event of an emergency.

• Monitor regions and aboriginal communities in

connection with strategic and operational issues with

an impact on public security and police services.

• Support and advise local and aboriginal communities

on the establishment of emergency prevention and

preparedness measures, as well as disaster recovery

measures.

Young Innu.

Photo credit: Marc tremblay

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Moose.

Photo credit: christian chevalier

5. Protection of the environMent

anD bioDiversity conservation

objectives for 2035

to protect the environment and conserve biodiversity in the north, the Plan nord targets three main, and closely-related, objectives:

• By 2035, dedicate 50% of the area covered by the Plan nord to non-industrial purposes, protection of the environment and the

safeguarding of biodiversity.

• Gain knowledge about the area’s physical and ecological environment in order to identify the most appropriate conservation measures

and recognize the potential for development.

• Ensure effective environmental assessment processes.

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Priority actions for 2015-2020

By 2020, establish protected

areas in 20% of the area covered

by the Plan Nord

the renewed Plan nord offers an opportunity to establish and specify

conservation measures to protect 50% of the land lying north of

the 49 th parallel from industrial

activities, including a measure to

establish protected areas.

As part of this process, the Québec

government’s target is to ensure

that, by 2020, 20% of the area

covered by the Plan nord is made

up of protected areas, of which

at least 12% will comprise boreal

forest north of the 49th parallel.

Steps have already been taken to

establish protected areas in the

Rivière Kovik and Rivière Broadback

watersheds. the government also

intends this part of the north will

be dedicated to the protection of

the environment, the safeguarding

of biodiversity and the promotion

of various types of development.

• to extend geo-physical and ecological knowledge, including the

knowledge of fauna, flora and ecosystems, to determine the most

appropriate conservation measures and characterize the potential

for development.

• to conduct specific exercises to integrate ecological variables using

adapted tools such as ecological and territorial planning, in places

where major development is under consideration and where the

land is more sensitive to potential development.

•

Continue to develop national parks as

part of the target for protected areas

in the last ten years, three national parks have been created in nunavik:

• Parc national des Pingualuit.

• Parc national Kuururjuaq.

• Parc national tursujuq.

the government intends to continue the process to establish national

parks as part of the implementation of the Plan nord. Work is under

way on three major projects:

• the Parc national Ulittaniujalik project, in nunavik.

• the Parc national Albanel-témiscamie-otish project, to be created

in partnership with the cree nation of Mistissini.

• the Parc national Assinica project, developed in collaboration with

the four cree communities concerned.

Climate Change

This vast and little-known area is fragile

and evolving rapidly, in particular

as the result of climate change.

To deal with the difficulties this creates,

the government will continue to work

with its northern and scientific partners

to define ways to adapt to climate change.

Characterize the land base

to target the most appropriate

conservation measures

in order to protect 50% of the northern area from industrial activities,

the planning of conservation activities must be supported by in-depth

knowledge of the land base, through measures:

Ensure efficient environmental

assessment processes

in the environmental protection field, the government will continue to

act in compliance with the conventions, laws, regulations and specific

agreements on the environment that apply in the area covered by the

Plan nord, while respecting its constitutional obligation to conduct

consultations with Aboriginals.

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it will ensure that development projects are only implemented

following strict environmental analyses that respect the processes

in place and the populations concerned, giving priority to a support/

advisory approach.

the government will act with efficiency, diligence and rigour with respect

to all the prior authorizations needed for project development, and will

apply all the required supervisory mechanisms. concrete initiatives

will be proposed to improve the transparency and application of the

processes to make them more efficient.

Map 5 - Area covered by the 50% target* -

Existing protected areas (March 2015)

Priority actions

for 2015-2020

IN THE FIELD OF THE

ENVIRONMENT

• By 2035, dedicate 50% of the area covered by the

Plan nord to non-industrial purposes, protection of the

environment and the safeguarding of biodiversity:

- a total of 20% of protected areas in the area covered

by the Plan nord by 2020, of which at least 12% will

comprise boreal forest north of the 49th parallel.

- a mechanism for the priority allocation of the remaining

30% of the area for non-industrial activities.

• Extend geo-physical and ecological knowledge of the

land base.

• Elaborate and conduct ecological planning exercises

and increase the weight of ecological information in the

decision-making process.

• improve the public consultation process in terms of

transparency and accessibility by using new technologies

and developing communication tools.

• continue to develop national parks.

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Matagami and surrounding area.

Photo credit: Jean-Pierre Huard

6. conDitions for success

the business environment and financial support measures established by the government will help create the conditions needed to

attract private investment to northern Québec. However, the vastness of the area concerned, the remoteness of the communities, the

lack of links between northern and southern Québec and access to outside markets are all factors that may limit northern development.

Facilitate access to the land

infrastructures—harbours, railways, airports and roads—and their strategic development over the long term are cornerstones for the

deployment of the Plan nord. Although the area already has clear strategic advantages in the field of transportation infrastructures, the

challenge of access to the land is two-fold:

• Existing infrastructures are aging and require major reconstruction work to extend their useful life.

• the various transportation modes must be part of a strategic, coherent network if they are to promote the economic potential of the

north and provide adequate services for the northern population.

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the government, via the Société du Plan nord and with assistance

from the Ministère des transports du Québec, will coordinate the

preparation and implementation of a comprehensive, integrated plan

for all modes of transportation in the area covered by the Plan nord.

it will request input from the government departments and bodies

concerned, regional authorities, including the Baie-James Development

corporation, aboriginal nations and companies already operating or

about to operate in the area.

the process will be based on a multimodal approach, giving priority to

the improvement of existing transportation infrastructures to increase

their capacity and efficiency while minimizing their environmental

footprint. it will also identify the nature and characteristics of the

complementary infrastructures needed to ensure optimum service

for northern areas.

• Ensure a permanent, safe road network adapted to northern

characteristics:

- by defining a government funding strategy for

the extension of Route 138 and the improvement

of Route 389.

- by ensuring adequate funding for maintenance and

reconstruction work on the Route de la Baie James.

- by undertaking reconstruction work on the road linking

Schefferville to Kawawachikamach.

- by establishing a new category of northern road with

standards adapted to the northern context.

• Draw up policies and directives for the planning, financing,

commissioning and shared use of transportation

infrastructures in the area covered by the Plan nord.

• continue discussions on the economic perspectives for

the development of strategic multimodal infrastructures

in the nord-du-Québec region.

Priority actions

for 2015-2020

IN THE FIELD

OF TRANSPORTATION

• Ensure the ongoing viability of maritime infrastructures

in nunavik.

• improve access and increase the capacity of the port

of Sept-Îles to meet the needs of mining companies.

• Ensure that the capacity and efficiency of the rail services

between the labrador trough and the port of Sept-Îles

are increased to meet the needs of mining companies.

• continue to improve northern airports.

improve telecommunications

infrastructures

Access to digital technologies is an essential component in the

socio-economic development of the area and the safety and wellbeing

of northern populations, whether in connection with health, education

or justice services or other services provided by the government and

enterprises. the development and availability of telecommunications

technologies are also essential elements for the attraction and

retention of workers and enterprises in remote regions.

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Although several telecommunications projects have emerged or

continue to develop in the area covered by the Plan nord in recent

years, some specific needs still need to be met.

increase scientific knowledge

and promote its application

northern development and the transformations under way in the area

covered by the Plan nord raise a number of issues that concern the

research and innovation community. All the components of the Plan nord

generate a need for research and for the gathering of scientific data

and knowledge. this information is needed to ensure that actions are

planned effectively in a way that ensures respect for communities.

in-depth knowledge of all social, economic and environmental factors

is essential to develop the full potential of the north, protect it and

inhabit it.

the government will, for this purpose, create a nordic institute for

Québec, the institut nordique du Québec, as a pathfinder project to

respond to the research objective while ensuring a balance between

the social, economic and environmental dimensions. the institut will

bring a range of expertise in the natural, social, health and engineering

sciences to bear on the question of sustainable development in the

north, in an interdisciplinary, inter-institutional centre for research and

innovation, with the involvement of Université laval, McGill University

and the institut national de recherche scientifique. the centre will be

located on the campus of Université laval, in Québec city, and will also

have offices in the area covered by the Plan nord.

thanks to the institut nordique du Québec it will be possible to deploy

a number of research and technology transfer platforms that will

incorporate aboriginal knowledge and meet the needs of stakeholders,

whether northern communities, the government or the private sector.

the institute will work closely with other research establishments and

teams in Québec and canada, including college-level technology transfer

centres and aboriginal services, and will help attract the most talented

science and technology experts, providing both a source of social and

technological innovation and sustainable economic leverage. Québec

will position itself as a national and international leader in the field

of northern research.

Priority actions

for 2015-2020

IN THE FIELD OF

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

• complete a master plan for a fibre optic-based

telecommunications network serving the whole of

the area covered by the Plan nord through integrated

planning for the following projects:

- nunavik project (inuit): complete a feasibility study

and prepare technical specifications for the creation

of a fibre optic and satellite network.

- Eeyou communications network project (crees):

add the communities of Eastmain, Waskaganish and

possibly Whapmagoostui to the fibre optic network.

- Schefferville regional project (naskapis): design, plan

and implement a fibre optic project from labrador

city to Schefferville.

• improve the high-speed internet network on the

Basse-côte-nord.

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innovation is the main lever for increased productivity and social and

economic development, playing a role in all fields and all sectors of

activity. the ability to meet the challenges raised by the Plan nord will

depend on an ability to innovate and pool the strengths of all innovators

in the institutional and private sectors, whether in Québec or abroad.

Québec’s participation in various intergovernmental forums,

including the northern Development Ministers Forum, will provide an

opportunity for the sharing of information, best practices and expert

knowledge with regard to various northern development issues.

the Plan nord will also be implemented against the backdrop of an

extremely competitive international environment, where natural

resource prices can fluctuate widely and states and governments vie

with each other to attract foreign investors and qualified workers. Given

this context, concerted action, along with international representation,

prospection and promotion activities will be essential if the objectives

of the Plan nord are to be achieved.

the Québec government, under the guidance of the Ministère des

Relations internationales et de la Francophonie, will conduct a broad,

sustained and original international campaign to promote the unique

comparative advantages of a project of this scope.

Priority action

for 2015-2020

IN THE

FIELD OF SCIENTIFIC

KNOWLEDGE

Support the creation of the institut nordique du Québec and

assist the research partners involved.

Promote the Plan nord

in canada and abroad

to ensure the successful implementation of the Plan nord,

intergovernmental relations will have to be conducted in a joint,

coordinated fashion to uphold and defend Québec’s interests.

All the government departments and bodies involved, with assistance

from the Secrétariat aux affaires intergouvernementales canadiennes,

will work to improve collaboration between the Québec government,

the governments of the other provinces and territories and the federal

government with respect to northern issues. this approach will help

maximize the development prospects for the area covered by the

Plan nord. Participation by the federal government, in particular at

the financial level, in the relaunching of the Plan nord will also be

fundamental in several priority areas.

Amundsen.

Photo credit: Gérald Darnis/Arcticnet

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7. a PartnershiP-baseD

fraMework for

iMPleMentation

to implement the Plan nord, the government intends to set up a governance structure adapted to the objectives it has set, and to ensure

the social acceptability of the Plan for local and aboriginal communities.

Harrington Harbour.

Photo credit: tQ/c. Bouchard

the Société du Plan nord

on December 4, 2014, the Act respecting the Société du Plan nord was passed. Under the Act, the Société du Plan nord becomes the

key authority for the deployment of the various components of the Plan nord. its mission is to contribute, in collaboration with the

representatives of the regions and the aboriginal nations concerned, as well as the private sector, to the integrated and coherent

development of the area covered by the Plan nord, in keeping with the principle of sustainable development and in accordance with the

policy directions defined by the Government in relation to the Plan nord.

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its mission is also to:

• coordinate infrastructure projects and, if applicable, engage in

infrastructure development and operation, alone or in partnership,

including as a rail carrier.

• Assist and support local and aboriginal communities in their community

and socio-economic development projects, among others.

• carry out or contribute to research and development activities as

well as activities to acquire knowledge of the area.

• contribute to setting up mechanisms to allow 50% of the area

covered by the Plan nord to be used, by 2035, for purposes other

than industrial purposes, for the protection of the environment and

for the preservation of biodiversity.

• contribute to maximizing the economic spinoffs generated by the

development of the natural resources in the area covered by the

Plan nord, in accordance with Québec’s intergovernmental and

international trade commitments.

• Advise the Government on any matter the latter submits to it.

• Establish satellite offices in the nunavik, Baie-James–Eeyou istchee,

côte-nord and Saguenay–lac-Saint-Jean areas to ensure ongoing,

functional and effective communications with its clients.

• Set up a marketing office whose object is to communicate to local

and regional enterprises as well as to all other Québec enterprises

the supply and equipment needs of ordering parties operating in

the area covered by the Plan nord.

The Assembly of Partners

the Act also specifies that the Société du Plan nord is supported

in its actions by the Assembly of Partners whose members are

appointed in a way that ensures that it is representative of the local

and aboriginal communities in the territories of nunavik, James

Bay–Eeyou istchee, côte-nord and Saguenay–lac-Saint-Jean and the

main sectors of activity concerned. its role is to provide an opinion to

the Société and the Minister responsible on any matter the Société

submits to it in relation to its mission or activities. the Assembly may

also, on its own initiative, submit advice and recommendations.

close, ongoing collaboration

with government departments

and bodies

the Société will play a key role in the implementation of the Plan nord.

it will coordinate development in the area and the introduction of

economic, social and environmental measures, working closely with

the government departments and bodies concerned, several of which

have already established joint action mechanisms.

the Société will help ensure better coordination of the activities

of all the government players in northern Québec, for the benefit of

the main clients and the citizens of Québec. it is important to note that

the Baie-James Development corporation, established in the early 1970s,

will continue its current activities and will be involved as a satellite

of the Société du Plan nord.

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Specific partnerships:

Secrétariat aux affaires

autochtones, Secrétariat

à l’implantation de la

stratégie maritime and

investissement Québec

the Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones, the Secrétariat à l’implantation

de la stratégie maritime and investissement Québec will all play a key

role in the implementation of the Plan nord. the government’s objective

is to ensure that the missions and actions of all of these organizations

complement those of the Société du Plan nord.

Because of its specific mandate and its cross-departmental role, the

Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones will remain the main point of contact

with aboriginal communities in northern Québec. it will retain this role,

within the limits of its mandate, and will also ensure the coordination

and implementation of agreements and conventions signed by the

Québec government and the aboriginal nations in the north.

clearly, enterprises are increasingly aware that their investment projects

cannot be implemented without a degree of social acceptability. the

government, via the Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones, can play

a leading role in this field by working with aboriginal communities, in

particular by promoting the signing of impact and benefit agreements

by project promoters and aboriginal communities.

the Secrétariat à l’implantation de la stratégie maritime will promote

the development of harbour operations in Québec and especially

northern Québec as part of the active deployment of the Plan nord.

it will be responsible, among other things, for ensuring that road and

rail infrastructures meet the needs of various harbour development

projects by helping to create intermodal connections. it will also

promote a safer, more ecological approach to freight transportation.

last, investissement Québec will continue to work with enterprises

in Québec while providing ongoing support for international

corporations that wish to establish themselves or expand their operations

in Québec. its actions will promote private investment and the

attraction of enterprises to the area covered by the Plan nord,

highlighting the numerous advantages offered by Québec for the

development of its natural resources and the application of its know-how.

the Société du Plan nord will establish close ties with these

organization in order to optimize the socio-economic benefits for the

north and for all regions of Québec.

Joint action structures

throughout the process that led up to the initial version of the Plan nord,

local communities, First nations and inuit communities expressed a

desire to participate fully in the drafting and implementation of the

Plan as partners, within a framework that ensured respect for their

aspirations and realities.

the Plan nord could not exist without a close partnership with

the communities that inhabit this vast territory and in a manner

consistent with the development priorities they have defined for

themselves.

the continuation of this dialogue with partners in the north reflects

the government’s firm intention to maintain and strengthen the close,

dynamic relationship it has established with local, and especially

aboriginal, communities.

Under the coordination of the Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones,

the Québec government also intends to continue the process to set up

aboriginal discussion tables for each nation—cree, naskapi, innu and

inuit—to provide a discussion space adapted to its needs and aspirations.

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Zones covered by

the Plan nord

the strategy for the relaunching of the Plan nord sets out a new vision

and updated policy directions and governance mechanisms that will

apply to the entire area covered by the Plan nord, and will also affect

Québec as a whole as a lever for economic development.

However, its implementation and the actions taken under the Plan

must be adapted to meet the specific needs of populations, the visions

they express and the characteristics of each of the zones covered by

the Plan nord:

• nunavik.

• Eeyou istchee Baie-James.

• côte-nord.

• northern Saguenay–lac-Saint-Jean.

For this purpose, meetings have been organized in each zone covered

by the Plan nord with the aboriginal nations concerned and with

representatives from civil society, associations, and representative

groups from the business and environmental communities. the

meetings have helped identify specific concerns which will require a

range of adapted actions for each zone, population group and sector

of activity in the area covered by the Plan nord.

the establishment of the Société du Plan nord with satellites offices in

each zone will respond to the need expressed by all of the stakeholders

for an ongoing, functional and effective connection with each group

involved.

in addition, the government will take into account existing plans in the

process of implementation in the area by the communities concerned.

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8. financial fraMework

With the relaunching of the Plan nord, major investments will be made to support the development of projects already under way and

those planned for the area north of the 49 th parallel.

to put in place the conditions needed to promote development and access to the land, the government, via the Société du Plan nord,

will use the amounts made available by the Fonds du Plan nord, estimated at $356.7 million over the period 2015-2020.

this amount, along with the contributions made by various government departments and bodies and other partners, will enable the

government to support, over the next five years, actions totalling $1.340 billion, in the form of:

• $914.2 million in investments for the completion of strategic infrastructure projects, and

• $425.4 million in expenditure for the implementation of priority actions and the administration of the Société du Plan nord.

Adding the measures entirely financed by government departments and bodies and their partners, actions in the area covered by the

Plan nord will total almost $2 billion over the 2015-2020 timeframe. in addition to these amounts, substantial investments will be made

by the private sector.

contributions from the federal government may also increase the budgetary envelopes available.

Port of Port-Cartier.

Photo credit: ArcelorMittal Exploitation minière canada s.e.n.c.

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THE FONDS DU PLAN NORD

A fund dedicated to northern development

The Fonds du Plan Nord is a special fund dedicated to financing the activities of the Société du Plan Nord that

concern financial assistance for strategic infrastructure, measures promoting the development of the area covered

by the Plan Nord, research and development, knowledge acquisition, protection of that area, and social measures

aimed, in particular, at meeting the needs of the populations living in that area.

Income of the Fonds du Plan Nord

The Fonds’s income comes mainly from an annual basic contribution reflecting the fiscal benefits generated by

natural resource extraction projects and public infrastructure projects implemented in the area covered by the

Plan Nord. They also include an annual contribution paid by Hydro-Québec, currently set at $10 million, and

income from investments.

Annual revision of contributions

The amounts paid into the Fonds are revised annually to take into account any changes in the projects

undertaken in the area covered by the Plan Nord and the resulting fiscal benefits.

This approach takes into account the economic activity generated north of the 49th parallel and allows the

government to adjust the pace of its actions to develop northern Québec to reflect the evolution of projects

under way or planned in the area.

the Fonds du Plan nord over a 25-year timeframe

to track the financial results of the Fonds du Plan nord, the government has chosen a progressive, 25-year timeframe which will allow it to plan

the use of the amounts in the Fonds du Plan nord effectively, given that some projects will involve expenditure over a period of several decades.

over a 25-year timeframe, an estimated $2.2 billion will be paid into the Fonds as the basic contribution. With the annual contribution from

Hydro-Québec and income from other sources, the Fonds du Plan nord should have a total envelope of nearly $2.7 billion.

these amounts will be used by the Société du Plan nord in accordance with the objectives and priorities set out in its strategic plans in connection

with the policy directions for the Plan nord defined by the government.

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Table 1 - Financial framework for the fonds du Plan Nord – 2015-2016 to 2019-2020 ($ Million)

n/a

Income

Expenditure

- contributions to the Société du Plan nord

(1)

- other expenditure

BALANCE

2015-2016

88.7

81.5

78.8

2.8

7.2

2016-2017

85.3

80.6

73.1

7.5

4.7

2017-2018

88.5

77.2

71.8

5.4

11.4

2018-2019

78.4

61.4

58.9

2.5

17.0

2019-2020

84.4

76.6

74.2

2.4

7.9

5-year

25-year

(1)

total

timeframe

425.4

377.2

356.7

20.6

48.2

2,686.1

2,684.8

2,648.8

36.0

1.3

note: All amounts have been rounded off and may not match the totals indicated.

(1) the balance forecast over the next five years will be retained by the Fonds du Plan nord and used to support long-term commitments for current infrastructure projects.

over a 25-year timeframe, the Fonds du Plan nord will have spent an amount comparable to its anticipated income of around $2.7 billion.

the money spent will have been used to support long-term commitments under current or future infrastructure projects and measures

launched since 2011 for a total of $751.7 million.

Funding for measures and infrastructure projects may be improved by an increase in the envelope made available to the Fonds du Plan nord,

which reflects the scale of economic activity north of the 49 th parallel.

400km railway linking the mine at Mont-Wright

to the harbour facilities in Port-Cartier.

Photo credit: ArcelorMittal Exploitation minière canada s.e.n.c.

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Actions for the benefit of local

and aboriginal populations

and all Québecers

Since the creation of the Fonds du Plan nord in June 2011, several

measures and infrastructure projects have been launched or completed

as part of the Plan nord.

to finance these actions from the Fonds, a total of $454.3 million has

been spent, committed or set aside for the next five years.

the initial financial framework for the Plan nord called for the Fonds

du Plan nord to finance actions totalling $900.6 million over five years,

and a surplus has accumulated since some of these actions were not

implemented

With the relaunching of the Plan nord, this surplus gives the government

an opportunity to improve the allocation of the envelopes available on

the basis of the objectives and priority actions for the development

of northern Québec.

As a result, over the next five years, the Société du Plan nord, using

the financial resources made available from the Fonds du Plan nord,

will help finance new priority actions in the area covered by the Plan.

like the measures and infrastructure projects already completed or

launched in the area, these new initiatives will benefit local and aboriginal

communities. they will also generate substantial economic benefits

for the whole Québec population and help a successful relaunch of

the Plan nord.

The Fonds d’initiatives du Plan Nord

The Fonds d’initiatives du Plan Nord will support

the concrete implementation of innovative

structural projects as part of the relaunching

of the Plan Nord.

The Fonds will have an annual budget of

$2 million and will give the Société du

Plan Nord the flexibility it needs to support

the implementation of projects that are both

innovative and structural.

The work of the Fonds will complement that of

other existing programs. The $2 million annual

budget will be used to finance projects with

specific needs that cannot be funded through

other channels, or that require additional

financial assistance.

7 the initial financial framework for the Plan nord provided, for the period 2011 to 2016, for

interventions totalling $1.625 billion, financed through contributions to the Fonds du Plan nord

and the payments made by government departments and bodies and other partners.

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Caribou.

Photo credit: christian chevalier

conclusion

By relaunching the Plan nord, the government has taken a strategic step

in the process it began in 2011 to ensure a harmonious and sustainable

approach to development in northern Québec.

Using an updated vision and an original approach, the government

will be able to meet the objectives it has set to develop economic

potential in the north for the benefit of Québec as a whole, ensure the

wellbeing of local and aboriginal populations, protect the environment

and preserve biodiversity throughout this vast area.

the objectives of the Plan nord will be implemented on the basis of

an action plan reflecting a concerted effort by various government

departments and bodies and the active involvement of partners in the

community. the plan will identify a set of priority actions which will be

set in motion over the next five years.

these actions will help re-establish a context that is conducive to

mining development in northern Québec, diversify and add value to

forest resources, continue to develop energy potential, increase the

socio-economic benefits from wildlife activities, promote tourism

and design an bio-food model based on the eco-responsible use of

local products.

the local and aboriginal population will be the first to benefit from

these actions, and also from the implementation of a series of

measures adapted to northern realities in the field of education, health,

social services, justice, public security, access to housing and cultural

development.

Priority actions will also be proposed to protect the environment

and conserve biodiversity in the north, in particular through the

establishment of protected areas and national parks. Development

projects will continue to be subject to efficient environmental

assessment processes.

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concrete measures are described in the 2015-2020 action plan to

create favourable conditions to attract private investment to northern

Québec. A set of priority actions will facilitate access to land, improve

telecommunications infrastructures, increase scientific knowledge

about the northern environment and ensure the promotion of the

Plan nord in canada and abroad.

the implementation of these actions will be coordinated by the Société

du Plan nord, which will, in particular, ensure close ongoing cooperation

between the government departments and bodies concerned. the

Société’s actions will complement those of the Secrétariat aux affaires

autochtones, the Secrétariat à l’implantation de la stratégie maritime

and investissement Québec, which will be called upon to play a key role

in the implementation of the Plan nord. the Société will also continue

the close dialogue that has been established with partners in the north.

lastly, a special fund, the Fonds du Plan nord, will help finance strategic

infrastructures, social measures, and protection and development

interventions. the Fonds, whose budget will mirror economic trends

in the area covered by the Plan nord, will constitute a key financial

incentive for the development and enhancement of northern Québec,

for the benefit of the population of Québec as a whole and for future

generations.

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